Wireless Communication Device Dormant Mode Scanning Interval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication devices experience unnecessary power drain due to continuous neighbor cell measurements even when on a wireless local area network, which reduces battery life without compromising performance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that transitions the device to a dormant mode with a reduced scanning interval when on a local area network during scheduled quiet times and with quality of service meeting a predetermined threshold, using a mode management module to automatically switch between active and dormant modes based on user activity and network conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous neighbor cell measurements are performed on wireless local area network, then device can reselect to appropriate network, but power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic neighbor cell measurements only during scheduled quiet times when the wireless communication device is camped on a wireless local area network. The mode management module determines whether to perform measurements based on whether the current time falls within a scheduled quiet time period, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining network reselection capability when appropriate.
2Reliability
If neighbor cell measurements are performed at normal scanning intervals, then network performance is maintained, but battery life is reduced due to unnecessary power drain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the scanning interval for neighbor cell measurements by performing measurements only during scheduled quiet times rather than continuously. This periodic measurement approach maintains network performance when needed while significantly reducing power consumption during normal operation, thereby extending battery life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the scanning interval parameter based on the device's operational state. When camped on a wireless local area network during scheduled quiet times, the scanning interval is extended (measurements performed less frequently). When not in quiet time or not on WLAN, normal scanning intervals are maintained, thus optimizing battery life while preserving network performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A device (200) and method (300) of saving energy in a wireless communication device (200) capable of running on a wide area network and a local area network, are disclosed. The method (300) can include: operating (310) on a wide area network and a local area network, defining an active mode, wherein neighbor cell measurements are made at a first scanning interval; detecting (320) conditions to transition to a dormant mode, by: a) operating on the local area network, b) entering a scheduled quiet time, and c) determining a quality of service from the local area network meets a predetermined threshold; and transitioning (330) to a dormant mode wherein the neighbor cell measurements are made at a second scanning interval, reduced from the first scanning interval.